Appetizer / Snack

2 viral, validated appetizer / snack recipes — each tested by a named editor in a real kitchen.

• Vietnamese · 70 min · Medium

  Chả Giò — involtini primavera fritti vietnamiti

  Vietnam's crackling fried spring rolls: a savoury filling of pork, shrimp, wood-ear mushroom and glass noodles wrapped in rice paper and fried until shatteringly crisp and golden. Served with herbs and lettuce to wrap and a bowl of nước chấm for dipping, chả giò (nem rán in the north) is the celebratory roll found at every Vietnamese feast — crunchy outside, juicy inside.

• Korean · 35 min · Easy

  Haemul pajeon — frittella coreana di frutti di mare e cipollotto

  Korea's beloved savoury pancake: a batter laced with whole scallions and loaded with seafood — squid, shrimp, mussels — fried until the edges are lacy and crisp and the middle stays tender, with an egg often poured over to set it. Haemul pajeon is rainy-day comfort and the classic partner to makgeolli (rice wine), torn into shares and dipped in a tangy soy-vinegar sauce. The trick is a hot, well-oiled pan for crisp edges.